What are bespoke fitted wardrobes? Firstly, according to the dictionary, the word “bespoke” means “made to order”. So for a fitted wardrobe to be bespoke, it has to be designed and manufactured to suit the buyer’s needs and home. Such a piece of furniture is not an off-the-shelf product such as the self-assembled items from IKEA.

There exist big sized companies in the furniture industry that claim to produce bespoke fitted wardrobes when in fact, after a bit of further probing, they actually use standard type components almost extensively. They might only have available a small range of sizes in their products or at best, they might modify the standard components to retro-fit for your usage. This cannot compare to fitted wardrobes that are completely customized.

How customized can a bespoke fitted wardrobe be? This depends on the manufacturer. If they are really the best of best in their line of work, you can literally have an infinite number of possibilities that’s only really limited by your imagination. Of course this is subject to the physical constraints of your room. Here is a sample list of what is possible:

Size – wall-to-wall, continue around corners, angled.

Handles

Doors – choose either hinged or sliding. Other than personal taste, this would also depend on size of your room. If efficient use of space is top priority, then you would go for a fitted sliding wardrobe. With the hinged, you can choose either ‘lay-on’ or ‘in-frame’. The former is more modern with the hinges hidden from sight on the outside whilst the latter is more traditional with the butt hinges showing.

Styling & Finish – you can choose either traditional looking, contemporary fitted wardrobes, or design anything in between. For example, a traditional style might be with a natural wood finish or with painted wood; and a contemporary style wardrobe might be a fitted sliding wardrobe with tinted mirror panels. You can make your fitted wardrobe stand out in your bedroom or completely blend in almost seamlessly.

It is quite apparent that bespoke fitted wardrobes are in no doubt more costly than your run-of-the-mill wardrobes, so why on earth would someone pay for such a thing? Three big reasons – space, flexibility, appearance.

Yes, it is preferable that you have a large room to start off with, but with a completely customized wardrobe, you can better utilize the space that you have. For example, if you have a sloping ceiling or an alcove area, then getting someone to tailor make a wardrobe for such awkward spaces would allow you to better use an otherwise vacant and wasted spots.

The flexibility in the storage options you can have offered by a bespoke fitted wardrobe speaks for itself. Lastly, you may not be able to find a standard wardrobe that matches well with your bedroom. With a fully-tailored wardrobe, you significantly reduce this issue.

If you’re rapidly running out of room to store everything in your house then buying plastic storage boxes can be a great way of increasing the amount of storage space that you have available in a cheap way. While they usually aren’t suited to rooms in the house that are meant to be stylish or well decorated they’re perfect for the closet or bedroom. Here are a few different options that you have when buying plastic storage bins.

The cheapest and most simple cube storage units you can buy are heavy duty plastic storage cubes. These come in a wide range sizes so you’ll always be able to find one that is big or small enough for the purpose that you need.

If you think that white storage boxes are too boring or want to make sure the different boxes are easily identifiable then there are plenty of different colors you can buy such as red and blue. If you’re buying cheap plastic storage boxes to store toys for your children then it can be a good idea to buy a separate box for each child so that they can keep their toys separately.

For many people buying Rubbermaid plastic storage boxes is the only way to go. They have all kinds of colors and styles. Their sizes range form tiny to extra large. Getting large plastic storage cubes isn’t going to be enough if you have a lot of things to store.

However they can start to take up a lot of room if you buy several. This is why it’s important to make sure that you buy stackable plastic storage boxes so that should you need to buy more in the future they’ll fit naturally on top of each other.

If you do decide to buy stackable storage cubes remember to make sure that you label each one clearly from the side so that it is easy to find objects that you need. There is nothing worse than having several plastic storage boxes with lids and not knowing which one that special toy that your son wants before he goes to bed is in!

However there is a remedy for this situation and it is called clear plastic storage boxes. They allow you to see the contents of the box without having to take off the lid and see whats inside. Transparent storage cubes furniture is great for kids rooms as well so they can easily identify where to put and retrieve things quickly.

Colored stackable plastic storage containers are perfect for most homes

You can even get plastic food storage boxes for your pantry or kitchen area. These are also great for trips with the family or camping in the woods. Plastic boxes for storage is a great way to tackle any clutter issue you have no matter where you are. An attic is the perfect home for these kinds of storage cube options. Closets are always in need of a cube storage system and especially women. So why not get some plastic shoe storage boxes to keep all your shoes together and easy to find.

If you want to make sure that you’re not only looking good with your storage and helping out the environment as well then look into buying recycled decorative storage boxes. They generally aren’t any more expensive than buying the standard models and they are available anywhere online and most of your local retailers as well.

A quick note here. I wanted to let you know about how great epoxy floor paint is if you want to cover the concrete floors of your home. Some people want to be able to pull the carpet up in their bedroom and apply paint but are unsure on which one to use.

There are a few different ones to choose from and there are a lot of options to think about. If you are someone who is not very savvy when it comes to painting or which ones to use, then here are a few benefits that you will be interested in learning about this type of paint.

Something that everyone who uses this type of paint will be able to enjoy is the price that it sells for. You will be able to find this type of paint for a lower price than many of the other types of paints that can be used, so that means you will be able to keep more of your money in your pocket.

Another benefit that you will be able to receive when using this type of paint is the durability that it provides. This is one of the most durable types of paints to use on concrete floors, and its long-lasting effects will ensure that you do not have to constantly do a touch up job to keep it looking good.

There are a lot of other benefits that concrete epoxy floor paint will provide you with if you use it to paint your concrete floors.

No matter which room of your home you are going to be painting, make sure to check out this type of paint and find out all of the benefits that it provides. You will be able to save money while using a durable paint that will give you some great results.

You can’t smell it, see it or taste it, but it could be with you right now!

To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, have your heating equipment “tuned up” each year, preferably before the heating season begins. Your local gas or electricty company has highly trained professionals who can provide this service. The service technician should also check your chimney and vent pipes for blockage.

It is also a good idea to make sure your home is adequately ventilated, particularly if you have added insulation to your home, had major renovations done or have enclosed your heating system to increase living space.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often confused with those of influenza, and the highest incidence of poisoning occurs during the flu season. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, unclear thinking, shortness of breath, weakness, vision problems and loss of muscle control.

Here are a few basic steps you can take if you come across someone you suspect has CO poisoning.

Move the affected person to fresh air. Administer oxygen if available. Contact medical help. If the person is not breathing, perform artificial respiration as taught in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training until medical help arrives. Ventilate the area. Investigate the source of carbon monoxide and make repairs.

Finally install a carbon monoxide detector to warn of harmful gases that may be entering your home because of a blocked or damaged chimney or faulty heating system.

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long — the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, fireplace or clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.

These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in — costing you higher heating bills.

Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.

But what can you do about the three largest “holes?in your home — the folding attic stair, the fireplace and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.

Attic Stairs

When attic stairs are installed, a large hole (approximately 10 square feet) is created in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed, leaving only a thin, unsealed, sheet of plywood.Your attic space is ventilated directly to the outdoors. In the winter, the attic space can be very cold, and in the summer it can be very hot. And what is separating your conditioned house from your unconditioned attic? That thin sheet of plywood.Often a gap can be observed around the perimeter of the door.

Try this yourself: at night, turn on the attic light and shut the attic stairway door — do you see any light coming through? These are gaps add up to a large opening where your heated/cooled air leaks out 24 hours a day. This is like leaving a window open all year round.An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.

Fireplaces

Sixty-five percent, or approximately 100 million homes, in North America are constructed with wood or gas burning fireplaces. Unfortunately, there are negative side effects that the fireplace brings to a home especially during the winter home-heating season. Fireplaces are energy losers.

Researchers have studied this to determine the amount of heat loss through a fireplace, and the results are amazing. One research study showed that an open damper on an unused fireplace in a well-insulated house can raise overall heating energy consumption by 30 percent.A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces. Why does a home with a fireplace have higher heating bills? Hot air rises. Your heated air leaks out any exit it can find, and when warm heated air is drawn out of your home, cold outside air is drawn in to make up for it. The fireplace is like a giant straw sucking the heated air from your house.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draft stopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draft stopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.

If you need to keep warm and the fireplace is out of action as a result of the draft stopper then you can always use a portable infrared space heater which can be very helpful in warding off the chill. There is lots of information available about space heaters but if you are interested this is a good resource on infrared heaters in particular.

Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts

In many homes, the room with the clothes dryer is the coldest room in the house. Your clothes dryer is connected to an exhaust duct that is open to the outdoors. In the winter, cold air leaks in through the duct, through your dryer and into your house.Dryer vents use a sheet-metal flapper to try to reduce this air leakage. This is very primitive technology that does not provide a positive seal to stop the air leakage. Compounding the problem is that over time, lint clogs the flapper valve causing it to stay open.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.

The Mechanics of Buying A Furnace

You cannot shop for a furnace the way you shop for a camera or a pair of shoes. There are no “furnace stores” where the different makes and models can be examined, compared, and priced. So what are the steps to take when buying a furnace?

To get first-hand information on the different makes and models available, you will have to contact a number of heating firms. Ask them for the manufacturers’ illustrated sales literature on the furnaces they sell and install. You should also contact your local gas utility or a local contractor for assistance and information.

Your utility can usually provide information on the cost of purchasing, renting, or installing furnaces and the estimated seasonal heating costs of the type of equipment you plan to use. If you have decided on a particular type of furnace, read the literature carefully to find out if it describes the features you are looking for—such as a condensing heat exchanger, a commutating motor and direct drive for the circulating fan, etc.

Also look for the EnerGuide rating. This is the seasonal efficiency (AFUE) rating, not just the steady-state efficiency. Make sure you distinguish between the two types of ratings.

As previously mentioned, conventional and mid-efficiency gas furnaces do not run at their maximum efficiency if they are oversized; conversely, a condensing gas furnace can be more efficient if slightly oversized.

A heating contractor cannot determine the size of furnace you need just by walking through your house. The “size” of furnace means the heat output from it after it is running in steady-state operation. If you are replacing an existing gas furnace, the output of that furnace will give only a rough idea of the maximum size you should consider.

A further complicating factor is that many existing gas furnaces were nearly always rated and labelled on heat input rather than output, so you must subtract at least 22 percent from the labelled size to get the maximum existing output of that unit. On the other hand, your new gas furnace will be rated according to its heat output.

The contractor will have to calculate the heating requirement of your house using either the fuel consumption of your present furnace over a known heating period (after other gas use is factored out, such as for the water heater and kitchen range) or by making a thorough measurement and examination of your house to determine size, insulation levels, and degree of tightness of the house envelope. If the contractor does not show any interest in any of the above facts, then his or her calculation of the correct size for your new furnace is simply a “guesstimate.”

To make sure proper furnace sizing is determined, the quotation and contract should include a statement similar to the following: “The furnace size will be determined by a heat loss calculation using the formulas published by the Canadian Gas Association (CGA), the Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the electrical utility, or other recognized organizations. A copy of these calculations will be given to the homeowner.”

It is important to hire a contractor who will install your equipment properly to ensure that it will operate efficiently. Check with your local gas utility or provincial gas regu-latory office to find out how to get in touch with a fully qualified, registered or licensed contractor.

If your neighbours have had similar work done recently, ask them how satisfied they were with their contractor. If you are buying a relatively new type of furnace design, try to get the name of other homeowners who have had such equipment installed to find out about the appliance’s performance and the workmanship of the installer.

Before you decide what to buy, obtain firm, written bids from several companies on the cost of buying and installing a complete new unit, along with any other fittings and adjustments required, including changes to any ductwork or piping and a final balancing of the heat supply to the house.

Remember that a building permit may be required for this type of work, and the contract should state whether the installer or the homeowner is responsible for obtaining it.

Checklist for Having a Natural Gas Heating System Installed

You should get several estimates on the work to be done. When you are comparing these estimates, cost will be an important factor, but there are other considerations involved. Some contractors may be better at explaining what has to be done. Some may use higher quality components, and others may schedule the work at your convenience.

Estimates should include the following items:

The total cost for all necessary work.

An itemized list of all material and labour costs included in the bid; alteration or improvement of existing heat distribution ducts; installation of furnace and gas supply piping and ductwork; installation of water heater and vent (where applicable); installation of chimney liner and any attendant masonry work; and additional equipment such as the installation of gas appliances, humidifiers, air cleaners or air conditioners.

A statement describing how much existing equipment will be used in the new system.

A rough diagram showing the layout of ductwork or water pipes and the location of supply piping and heating equipment.

A statement that clearly defines who is responsible for: – all necessary permits and payment of related fees – on-site inspections by the utility – scheduling of all other required work by the utility, such as supply pipe installation and hookup – removal of any existing equipment that will not be used with the new system – all related costs, such as subcontracts with tradespeople.

A clear estimate of when the work will be completed.

A warranty for materials and labour.

A schedule and method of payment.

Ask contractors for the names of homeowners for whom they have done similar work. The Better Business Bureau will know if the contractor is a member and whether any recent complaints have been filed against him or her. Your local Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade may also be able to help.

The contractor installing the heating system may be able to install additional gas-fired appliances for a favourable price at the same time the heating system is set up. This work can often be undertaken without duplication of the inspections, permits, and the labour associated with such jobs.

Some utilities or dealers will also offer rental of heating equipment or lease-to-purchase plans. You may find it advantageous to participate in one of these plans rather than to purchase the equipment outright.

Do not hesitate to ask the contractor for a clear explanation of any aspect of the work before, during, or after the installation of your heating system.

There are a number of different things to consider when it comes to furnace repairs and troubleshooting, the first thing to understand however, is what your gas furnace actually is and what it looks like. Essentially, a gas furnace is a device that looks like a large box that takes in cold air, then cleans the air with a filter, then heats up the air with a gas burner by means of a stainless steel heat exchanger. It then finally distributes the warmed air with a motor that blows all the warmed air throughout your home’s duct work.

What then happens is, the air that has been heated then cools down in all the different various rooms of the home and then returns to the source – which is the furnace, through the duct work and air grills that are present in each room. The cold air then returns through the air filter into the furnace and is then prepared for another heating loop. In some cases there is a humidifier that is mounted on the furnace as well or on the air duct work. Also keep in mind that different furnaces are measured on their efficiency with a standard known as AFUE.

Once in a while some of the functions may not be working quite the way they showed any might need to troubleshoot this device, one of the more common types of things that people often have to replace or repair is the standing pilot if it has one. Typically, most of the modern furnaces that are installed in most homes use a form of electronic ignition and need different types of troubleshooting that tend to be a bit more complicated depending on the sophistication of the actual furnace itself. Let’s consider some of the more common types of problems and repairs the likely going to encounter.

The most common type of issue that most gas furnaces usually have is that they simply do not produce any heat, or at the very least any discernible heat. There are number of different reasons why this could be the case, some of the most common is the thermostat being set too low and is therefore not asking for heat or the thermostat might not be working at all. Another issue that might come up is that a circuit breaker or fuse that is controlling the furnace has been blown or tripped, in cases such as these, you might want to consider hiring a furnace repair specialist. These specialists are able to take a great deal of the stress of repairs out of the equation..

If you find that you are comfortable at least troubleshooting some of the issues yourself, you might want to consider reading a relevant website for additional tips. Some of the recommendations they might suggest architect thermostat and see if it is in “heat mode “and has the appropriate temperature setting. Another suggestion they might give if there is no heat being blown through the heating system, is to try adjusting the actual dials setting up or down a few degrees.

Are you looking at buying a new furnace for your home? Maybe you need a furnace repair to get your current heating system up and running properly. Have you ever wondered when it is better to repair the heating equipment you have now or would it be better to have a new furnace installed?

When buying a new heating system as equally important as the equipment is the contractor you choose to install your furnace for you. This may be even more important than the equipment itself. Heating systems that are not properly installed are not going to keep you comfortable on the coldest days. Be sure and get references and ask to see any licenses they carry.

Your job should be permitted and installed according to the requirements of your local, city or state. Once a furnace contractor is finished installing your new system you will need a final inspection to close out the permit on your job. Installing a new furnace is not a do-it-yourself project and you need to carefully consider the heating contractor you choose to work on your home.

Air Conditioning is the process in which the physical condition of air within a space is maintained in a desired condition by controlling simultaneously its temperature, humidity, cleanliness and motion.

Are you looking at buying a new air conditioner for your home? Maybe you need an air conditioning repair to get your current cooling system up and running properly. Have you ever wondered when it is better to repair the air conditioning equipment you have now or would it be better to have a new air conditioning unit installed?

When buying a new air conditioning system as equally important as the equipment is the contractor you choose to install your air conditioner for you. This may be even more important than the equipment itself. Air Conditioning that is not properly installed is not going to keep you comfortable on the hottest days. Be sure and get references and ask to see any licenses they carry.

Your job should be permitted and installed according to the requirements of your local, city or state. Once an air conditioning contractor is finished installing your new system you will need a final inspection to close out the permit on your job. Installing a new air conditioner is not a do-it-yourself project and you need to carefully consider the a/c contractor you choose to work on your home.

We have compiled the best air conditioning information to help you make those decisions. Being comfortable in your home is important to you. You will find information on air conditioning, air conditioning repair, central air conditioning, air conditioning filters, air conditioning service, air conditioning equipment, Amana air conditioning,, Carrier air conditioning, Goodman air conditioning, Lennox air conditioning, Trane air conditioning, Rheem air conditioning, York air conditioning, Bryant air conditioning,, air conditioning mini systems, portable air conditioning, air conditioning parts, air conditioning installation and more.

Be sure and bookmark our website and refer back to it for all of air conditioning and furnace questions.

Right around the fall season, you generally want to start getting ready for the winter period and all the cold that comes with it. One of the worst feelings in the world is to try and put your storm windows in when it’s 20° below or colder outside. In this article we will go over a fairly easy to follow checklist of various things that you can do to the heating and air systems of your home to help prepare and weatherize your home for the winter. Remember to always consult a professional before doing any significant work, like consulting quality air conditioning contractors for example. You can also check out the Internet and read the different HVAC blogs like this one for additional information.

The first thing that you want to do is to go over the basics of making sure that you have heat when you need it. Always make sure to check if this is going to be the case during the fall and no later than the end of October. This way you can give yourself plenty of time to give your system to test run before you will actually need it. The first thing we need to do is turn the thermostat to heat mode and set it to 80° just to test it out. You should be able to hear the furnace turn on and then feel the warm air within a few minutes. If the system is running okay, then turn off the thermostat and put it back to its normal setting. If you are finding that it is not running properly, you may have to begin troubleshooting the gas furnace yourself or possibly hiring a qualified service technician.

The other changes that you can do to your heating system are replacing the air filter with a new clean air filter which is fairly easy to do. You can also make sure that your fuel whether it is propane or an oil furnace, is topped off in completely full and ready to go for the wintertime. Also be sure to check your heating vents so that they are clear of obstacles and are ready to go. If you haven’t done so, also make sure to do seasonal maintenance to your furnace by hiring a service technician to go through and give your furnace its regular maintenance so that it is running and top shape.

We also recommend purchasing a good quality space heater. A space heater is a convenient way to heat a small space in your home, helping you to avoid the need to put on your home heating system. The main criticism of space heaters is their high cost. However, our tests have shown that an energy efficient space heater can be a great way to heat one part of the home, most likely the area in which you are working, without incurring significant extra cost. Of course sensible precautions should be taken to avoid allowing the costs to run up, including thermostatic control and timed switch offs.

Finally, you want to make sure that you check for carbon monoxide leaks, this is one of those things that is often forgotten about by many homeowners. This is a silent killer and can be easily detected with an inexpensive test badge or some type of wall mounted battery operated alarm. Whatever type of method you choose to go with, just make sure you do this critical steps you can protect your family and yourself from any harm or danger from carbon monoxide poisoning. Again, if you feel uncomfortable doing any of this please make sure you hire a professional to do this for you.